Check Out Chevy’s New Dedicated Police Truck

Posted by Justin Lloyd-Miller                

@ WALL ST. CHEAT SHEET

                        

Police officers, perhaps more than anybody else, deal with a fair degree of uncertainty, nearly by definition of their job. Situations are constantly changing, as are the needs of the police departments that deal with them. To help them address these needs, Chevrolet (NYSE:GM) has added the Silverado to its fleet of Special Service Vehicles, or SSVs.

The SSV package is available on the Silverado 1500 Crew Cab in 1WT or 1LS trims, and includes the 355 horsepower 5.3 liter EcoTec3 V8. Police agencies can choose two- or four-wheel drive models with the standard 6-foot, 6-inch pickup box, or a shorter 5-foot, 8-inch box, General Motors said.

 

“Last year, the Silverado 1500 was awarded for its low cost of ownership, a key purchasing factor for municipalities and government agencies,” Ed Peper, U.S. vice president for GM Fleet & Commercial, said in the company’s statement. “The EcoTec3 engine provides the best fuel economy of any V8 and still gives agencies the power and capability they need from a full-size pickup.”

However, the package goes beyond a fancy paint job. Underneath, there are some pretty nifty features that police agencies will undoubtably find useful. The alternator has been made more powerful and is now rated at 170 amps. Most importantly, though, Chevrolet has added a second, auxiliary battery so that officers can use the internal gadgets and equipment — think laptop, lights, radios, and cameras — without having to keep the truck idling. 

This will naturally help police departments — many of which are already somewhat strapped for cash — save some money on fuel, since the truck doesn’t have to be on unless it’s driving. There’s also a 110-volt outlet for equipment, and the Silverado SSV comes standard with electrical power supply for four upfitter switches that can be wired to whatever the department needs them to be. An auxiliary transmission cooling unit has also been added.

The Silverado SSV joins a specially formatted Tahoe, Caprice, and Impala in General Motors’ stable of law enforcement vehicles. There’s also a Chevrolet Express prisoner transport van.

 

“Nearly two-thirds of the Silverado SSV’s cab is made of high-strength steel, and inlaid triple-sealed doors create a strong, quiet mobile workspace to conduct daily business,” said Peper.